Database Develop

[Q] UAE camera in the US - Any caveats?

Bought a EK-GC110 off Amazon. Stated as "New, not refurbished" but price was more along the lines of a used / refurbished, so I was OK if it arrived refurbished (it did). However, it's a UAE "model".
Any caveats before I get too attached to it? Obviously there's no warranty regardless, but I don't want a month later to find out some feature won't work because it's a UAE model and I'm in the USA (not even sure what would be a problem, but...)
Thanks

wifi version has identical hardware worldwide.
even if someday you find a feature that doesn't work you could just flash the official rom for the US version, but I think the software is the same everywhere too.

thedicemaster said:
wifi version has identical hardware worldwide.
even if someday you find a feature that doesn't work you could just flash the official rom for the US version, but I think the software is the same everywhere too.
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Click to collapse
Hey thanks for the reply. So nothing you can think of that may be 'different' - If I recall there's a few extra wifi channels that the rest of the world has that the USA doesn't - that's fine obviously, I just want to make sure there's not say frequencies this UAE version wouldn't have that the US would. Or some encryption or - I don't even know what else but if it's the same, no problem.
Thanks

I have the same camera.
Im looking to restore it back to factory after root but am not sure what firmware to use. Also, it seems i would benefit from using another regions firmware based on what you said. Is that correct?

Updating software on Sony Z3C

So I couldn't wait for Handtec or Clove to get stock of the Z3C and ordered one from Kappsa. The phone arrived on Friday, however it appears to have a strange software version installed; APAC-LTE_23.0.A.2.93. After a bit of research, it would appear this is the Asia-Pacific release of 4.4.4. I'd really like to install the European version or GLOBAL-LTE_23.0.A.2.93.
When I looked into doing this, I read about the camera quality being affected when shooting in low light if you unlock the bootloader. Is this still the case if I simply install the stock version?
Or, is there a way to change the software version without rooting/flashing?! New to this, so any help would be greatly appreciated!
PS. Have attached a screengrab.

You dont need to unlock you're bootloader to flash a stock ftf http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2906706
Skickat från min LG-V500 via Tapatalk

tribemac said:
You dont need to unlock you're bootloader to flash a stock ftf http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2906706
Skickat från min LG-V500 via Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Great, thank you! However, just realised that I've bought a D5833 instead of a D5803. Does this mean I can't install UK firmware? Will I experience any drawbacks using a D5833 in the UK with Three?
Cheers!

joebycro said:
Great, thank you! However, just realised that I've bought a D5833 instead of a D5803. Does this mean I can't install UK firmware? Will I experience any drawbacks using a D5833 in the UK with Three?
Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only difference between the two devices is the 4g/lte bands being used. Imo you should have no problems receiving UK firmware even tho the phone is 'meant' to be used in like Asia/Australia.

Dsteppa said:
Only difference between the two devices is the 4g/lte bands being used. Imo you should have no problems receiving UK firmware even tho the phone is 'meant' to be used in like Asia/Australia.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Turns out that my phone will work on 2.6GHz UK 4G, but not 800Mhz UK 4G, as the receiver can only use 850. Not an issue if you're on EE or Vodafone, but if a problem if you're on Three. Going to try and return it...

SM N920I updates confirmation

I am using SM N920I frim Singapore. I am currently in Pakistan and reading sbout updates being pushed to N5 but I havnt recvd any update.
Is this a model issue or is my set region locked thats why?
I spent a lot of money but i hope it was not a bad decision to get thus version.

Sheikha said:
I am using SM N920I frim Singapore. I am currently in Pakistan and reading sbout updates being pushed to N5 but I havnt recvd any update.
Is this a model issue or is my set region locked thats why?
I spent a lot of money but i hope it was not a bad decision to get thus version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can always go to sammobile site to check for latest firmware. As far as I know you can flash different region as long as it is for your model such as n920i. Also u have to understand just because your phone doesn't have any update yet that would mean it is bad. I think it depend on the carrier to release them. As rule of the thumb u don't fix something unless there is an issue.
I believe android 6 update is just around the corner so I think that is why some carriers maybe waiting to release all at once. But I doubt it will come this month because of the holidays coming soon. I would expect them to be released early January.

N9500 UK - anyone used this and is it any good?

Unfortunately in the UK, the only way to get the Deep Sea Blue variant would be to buy the N9500. I understand that this was built specifically for China markets, but it should have the right network frequencies for the UK. I was just wondering if anyone has bought one of these before, and whether there's any quirks in the device compared to the UK model? Cheers

Using Note8 N-9500 for 3 weeks now
doubleluckstur said:
Unfortunately in the UK, the only way to get the Deep Sea Blue variant would be to buy the N9500. I understand that this was built specifically for China markets, but it should have the right network frequencies for the UK. I was just wondering if anyone has bought one of these before, and whether there's any quirks in the device compared to the UK model? Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Note 8 N-9500 is Hong Kong/China version. I have been using it for 3 weeks now, but I would not recommend it.
I have Hong Kong version. (China version doesn't support Google Play Store. Avoid it!)
Here are some negative things that I found out so far.
1. It works perfectly with UK network frequencies, however, you can't enable VoLTE or wifi cailling.
This is really downside. it keeps saying my current software does not support VoLTE.
2. It doesn't have Samsung Pass. Some apps require it to log in with your bio info (cf. finger print etc.), so it is bit annoying.
3. Android Pay works fine.
I have not use Samsung Pay yet, but Samsung Pay is registered as Hong Kong so you will get promotions from Hong Kong market only and you can't change it.
4. If you contact customer service through handset it automatically connect with Samsung Hong Kong Service centre. ha ha
I have tried to change it with other CSC roms such as Europe versions, but Note 8 N-9500 uses Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 not Exynos as Europe or Korean version.
At this point as far as I know it is impossible to use other CSC roms.

twotoy said:
Yes. Note 8 N-9500 is Hong Kong/China version. I have been using it for 3 weeks now, but I would not recommend it.
I have Hong Kong version. (China version doesn't support Google Play Store. Avoid it!)
Here are some negative things that I found out so far.
1. It works perfectly with UK network frequencies, however, you can't enable VoLTE or wifi cailling.
This is really downside. it keeps saying my current software does not support VoLTE.
2. It doesn't have Samsung Pass. Some apps require it to log in with your bio info (cf. finger print etc.), so it is bit annoying.
3. Android Pay works fine.
I have not use Samsung Pay yet, but Samsung Pay is registered as Hong Kong so you will get promotions from Hong Kong market only and you can't change it.
4. If you contact customer service through handset it automatically connect with Samsung Hong Kong Service centre. ha ha
I have tried to change it with other CSC roms such as Europe versions, but Note 8 N-9500 uses Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 not Exynos as Europe or Korean version.
At this point as far as I know it is impossible to use other CSC roms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you managed to flash Europe firmware successfully?
I've also got N9500 deep sea blue, the only reason I bought this version was for the colour!
I quite like it but would like to have volte

SM N9500
No I haven't. As far as I know EU firmware doesn't work with this SM-N9500.
I ask some questions to Samsung customer service Hong Kong, but I haven't got the answer yet.
If I do, I will post it here. cheers!

Note 8 n9500
doubleluckstur said:
Unfortunately in the UK, the only way to get the Deep Sea Blue variant would be to buy the N9500. I understand that this was built specifically for China markets, but it should have the right network frequencies for the UK. I was just wondering if anyone has bought one of these before, and whether there's any quirks in the device compared to the UK model? Cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the China variant of the N9500 in Deep sea blue
I I've had it for 3 months with no problems. I saw from one of the other posts that there had been some issues they had found with theirs. Just to comment on mine Samsung pay initially wouldn't let me load a card and work but now it works fine with no issues. Google play was installed and works without issue also. Unfortunately I have not been able to get VoLTE or WiFi calling to work as the firmware installed does not support the former and the latter, I'm still trying to get to work, but neither I or EE can come up with a reason why it doesn't. I've also not been able to install a European /UK firmware due to the Exynos/qualcom incompatability issue. mind you there are only a few reasons why you'd want to install the firmware as the phone works fine with the firmware installed bar the issues I've mentioned and f you can live without WiFi calling or VoLTE then there's no reason to use it. They are a great bit of kit as I they come with a much larger internal storage than is available over here. This was the reason I got mine in the first place as I store loads of books and music as well as videos and as an amateur photographer alongside my DSLR I still use this for photos as the shots are quite comparable in lots of cases. I hope this has helped, oh and one more thing, I i got mine new from a online phone store via ebay I ended up paying about £750-800 for it which was cheaper than the lower storage version that you can get in the UK so that's another plus

NDB19573 said:
I have the China variant of the N9500 in Deep sea blue
I I've had it for 3 months with no problems. I saw from one of the other posts that there had been some issues they had found with theirs. Just to comment on mine Samsung pay initially wouldn't let me load a card and work but now it works fine with no issues. Google play was installed and works without issue also. Unfortunately I have not been able to get VoLTE or WiFi calling to work as the firmware installed does not support the former and the latter, I'm still trying to get to work, but neither I or EE can come up with a reason why it doesn't. I've also not been able to install a European /UK firmware due to the Exynos/qualcom incompatability issue. mind you there are only a few reasons why you'd want to install the firmware as the phone works fine with the firmware installed bar the issues I've mentioned and f you can live without WiFi calling or VoLTE then there's no reason to use it. They are a great bit of kit as I they come with a much larger internal storage than is available over here. This was the reason I got mine in the first place as I store loads of books and music as well as videos and as an amateur photographer alongside my DSLR I still use this for photos as the shots are quite comparable in lots of cases. I hope this has helped, oh and one more thing, I i got mine new from a online phone store via ebay I ended up paying about £750-800 for it which was cheaper than the lower storage version that you can get in the UK so that's another plus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No volte is a biggie for some.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

i wonder if the wifi calling would work on the proper csc for n9500's or if like my provider, regardless of what mods are done to the phone's software, if its not a device purchased from them, they black list imei. well i should say they white list theirs and simply block everything else.
people on rooted 9500:
have you manualy extracted csc from relevant provider firmware and copyed to system/omc?

Limeybastard said:
No volte is a biggie for some.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
/ appreciate that it must a deal breaker for some out. there .I guess its just never been such a huge issue for me really. Its the inactive wifi calling that's the pain in the rear for me. It's not that
its not working that annoys me the most, its more
that there is no actual reason why it shouldn't work. that's the most annoying thing. its just so usefull to have.
Sent from my SM-N9500 using Tapatalk

Wi-Fi Calling and VoLTE on XZ3 Dual (H9436)

Hello everyone ?
Does anyone know of a way to get Wi-Fi calling and VoLTE loaded onto an unlocked, stock, non-rooted, H9436 ?.
PS: I know as a fact that my carrier supports both of them ?
Thank You

Only way is to use Xperifirm to download your regions firmware and flash it.
I know on my previous XZP I had a G8142 dual sim (Hong Kong) and flashed it a G8141 Single Sim (Australia) Firmware without any issues.
Unfortunately Sony Mobile has pulled out of Australia and there no Australian firmware for the XZ3. So I'll never get VoLTE on this phone now.

kw0n2k said:
Only way is to use Xperifirm to download your regions firmware and flash it.
I know on my previous XZP I had a G8142 dual sim (Hong Kong) and flashed it a G8141 Single Sim (Australia) Firmware without any issues.
Unfortunately Sony Mobile has pulled out of Australia and there no Australian firmware for the XZ3. So I'll never get VoLTE on this phone now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you see any battery life improvement since the second modem is not being used? ?
Is there no risk of bricking it?
It's gonna be horrible having all of my carriers crap on my phone
Maybe you could try using the firmware of another region that has it

ramy_nassif said:
Did you see any battery life improvement since the second modem is not being used? ?
Is there no risk of bricking it?
It's gonna be horrible having all of my carriers crap on my phone
Maybe you could try using the firmware of another region that has it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
XZP battery life became one of the best phones I've had after the last Oreo update. Since Pie it hasn't improved much. I would have the phone synced to my android watch all day. By the time i hit bed, i'd have 35% battery life left.
My current XZ3, would be dead by the time i get home from work, yet its supposed to have a bigger batter 3330mah vs 3230mah.
You dont have to use your specific carriers, just your country. Using the Generic Australian ROM I got VoLTE and VoWiFi working on Vodafone AU network.
At this current time no firmware is able to make VoLTE work on XZ3. Simply cause Sony Sucks now.
Might even sell this phone off or return it, as I've only had it a week.

kw0n2k said:
XZP battery life became one of the best phones I've had after the last Oreo update. Since Pie it hasn't improved much. I would have the phone synced to my android watch all day. By the time i hit bed, i'd have 35% battery life left.
My current XZ3, would be dead by the time i get home from work, yet its supposed to have a bigger batter 3330mah vs 3230mah.
You dont have to use your specific carriers, just your country. Using the Generic Australian ROM I got VoLTE and VoWiFi working on Vodafone AU network.
At this current time no firmware is able to make VoLTE work on XZ3. Simply cause Sony Sucks now.
Might even sell this phone off or return it, as I've only had it a week.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah battery life on this phone is just horrible
My mom has the XZP but she's stuck on Oreo cause Sony mobile abandoned the region, I'm planning on flashing a different region's firmware on my next trip home.
I thought of my carrier's firmware cause in France (my profile still says Lebanon cause I didn't bother changing, I moved to France a couple of months ago) the only unlocked version they sell is the dual sim one, the one sold by operators is the single sim one but they install their own firmware, and also because on their support website that mentioned that the xz3 that they sell is compatible with VoWiFi and VoLTE.
If you return it what would you get?

ramy_nassif said:
Yeah battery life on this phone is just horrible
My mom has the XZP but she's stuck on Oreo cause Sony mobile abandoned the region, I'm planning on flashing a different region's firmware on my next trip home.
I thought of my carrier's firmware cause in France (my profile still says Lebanon cause I didn't bother changing, I moved to France a couple of months ago) the only unlocked version they sell is the dual sim one, the one sold by operators is the single sim one but they install their own firmware, and also because on their support website that mentioned that the xz3 that they sell is compatible with VoWiFi and VoLTE.
If you return it what would you get?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I haven't returned it, cause I still don't have my XZP back from warranty repairs. Appears Sony is abandoning alot of regions. Though they are still releasing updates for those phones which is a good thing.
I love Sony Xperia phones, by far the best quality handsets in terms of workmanship, etc. But how they go about their software implementations has a lot to desire.
Hoping one day Sony deploys Carrier integrations like alot of the smaller manufacturers i.e Asus, Huawei, Oppo and Nokia, who are able to enable VoLTE without any specific region firmware.

kw0n2k said:
Well I haven't returned it, cause I still don't have my XZP back from warranty repairs. Appears Sony is abandoning alot of regions. Though they are still releasing updates for those phones which is a good thing.
I love Sony Xperia phones, by far the best quality handsets in terms of workmanship, etc. But how they go about their software implementations has a lot to desire.
Hoping one day Sony deploys Carrier integrations like alot of the smaller manufacturers i.e Asus, Huawei, Oppo and Nokia, who are able to enable VoLTE without any specific region firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah Xperia phone are really great, they have a mix of build quality and balance between software features and performance that just isn't available with other phones in the Android world (not talking about iPhones cause iOS is just BAD). I remember when I switched from my Z1 to a note 5, I was so disappointed. Wasn't sure if I wanted to get the Z5 or the note 5, so I decided to see why people praise Sammy, what a mistake ??*.
Going back to the main subject of this thread ?
I hadn't flashed my phone yet cause I had been pretty busy with school and wasn't sure if I should flash my carrier's firmware or not. So last week I got an update. A couple of hours later I went into the settings to tinker with stamina mode. And there I see it. A big banner on the top telling me to activate Wi-Fi Calling. So of course I did but couldn't test it directly cause I was out and about. When I got home (I have really bad reception in my dorm room, when people call me they go directly to voicemail cause I don't have any reception), I tried to see figure it out, but apparently it's just a placebo, it doesn't actually do anything ?